News - MARCH – APRIL 2020

Beat the Clock!

The Wild Trout Trust Auction is now live on eBay. It’s a brilliant opportunity to bid for a whole season of fishing adventures and help the WTT undertake vital work for wild trout and the places where they live.

With more than 300 tempting lots in this year’s Auction, there are prices to suit every pocket and a huge number of affordable adventures from just a few pounds. (In fact, more than two thirds of all the lots start below £100.) NB If you are a successful bidder you could find yourself fishing with Llyn Guides!

All this means it’s no surprise that more and more WTT supporters are using the Auction as a way of planning an adventurous year of exploring new waters which they might never otherwise have been able to visit.

You’ll probably already have received an Auction catalogue in the post, but don’t worry if you don’t have it to hand. Simply visit the WTT website (www.wildtrout.org) for details including a link to all the lots on eBay and start bidding for your own season of fishing adventures.

Or, if you don’t want to use eBay, you can quickly email (office@wildtrout.org) or call us (023 9257 0985) with the details of what you’d like to bid for (including the maximum amount you want to pay) and we’ll bid on your behalf.

As it happens the auction closes on the 29th of March, the day the clocks go forward, so can you beat the clock and get your bid in!
I have made my bid – have you?

Fisherman’s Friend.

One of my good friends who is also fishing colleague, has drawn my attention to the plight of a family he knows. He is endeavouring to raise awareness of a rare childhood cancer and, at the same time, raise funds in support through a campaign to spread the word to a wider audience. As parents we are keen that you might consider adding your support.

This is an Incredibly sad time for the family, but it has been amazing how the local and wider community have got behind the campaign. To read more about the campaign and to meet a very brave young lady go to:

My friend has shaved off his beard and head as part of the campaign (raising £1,150+ in the process!!), so he looks a little different now!

If he can do this, what might you be able to do to show your support?

Sea Bass 2020.

It is anticipated that the recreational fisherman will be able to keep two fish, as a daily limit, if caught between the 1st of March and the 30th of November 2020.

The minimum landing size is 42 cm. This is as it was in 2019. In the Southern Atlantic waters, the daily bag limit has been reduced from a three fish per day to two, in line with the North Atlantic catch limit. In addition, there is further legislation planned for Spain and France to ensure “fishing mortality” of seabass stock, from commercial and recreational fishing, does not exceed set limits for total catches.

In the North Atlantic you may fish during the “closed season” of 1st of December to the 28th February BUT it must be on a catch and release basis. Those of you with eagle eyes will notice that the season has been extended from seven to nine months!

Coronavirus 2020.

Where do we begin with this? News which I received this morning indicates the World Health Organisation says “Test, Test, Test”!

The question I would ask, is why is the UK not doing so?

If you think things are bad in the UK consider, what happens elsewhere!

Norway - Residents are banned from going to their summer huts and cottages.

France - Members of the public need authorisation to leave their homes. If they fail to obtain it, an on the spot fine ensues!

Isle of Man - A person was arrested for not self isolating on return to the island.

America - The virus is now in all states and superstores are lacking produce.

Ireland - The bars were shut on St Patricks Day! Residents were advised to self-isolate if returning from Italy and Spain. Citizens are advised not to travel to Germany. This last week the Irish Examiner, a daily newspaper, was published without any staff going into the office! The future?

Italy - Now has more deaths than China!

Eurovision - Cancelled!!!! Nil Point

Recently I had a very helpful paper cross my desk from a Stanford University Professor which I have reproduced below as it may help you:

The new Coronavirus may not show sign of infection for many days. How can one know if he/she is infected? By the time they have fever and/or cough and go to the hospital, the lung is usually 50% Fibrosis and it's too late.
Taiwan experts provide a simple self-check that we can do every morning. Take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, etc., it proves there is no Fibrosis in the lungs, basically indicates no infection.
In critical time, please self-check every morning in an environment with clean air.
Japanese doctors treating COVID-19 cases advise: Everyone should ensure your mouth & throat are moist, never dry. Take a few sips of water every 15 minutes at least. Why? Even if the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water or other liquids will wash them down through your throat and into the stomach. Once there, your stomach acid will kill all the virus.

If you don't drink enough water more regularly, the virus can enter your windpipe and into the lungs. That's very dangerous

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - CORONAVIRUS

1. If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have a common cold

2. Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose.

3. This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees Celsius (about 80 degrees Fahrenheit). It hates the Sun.

4. If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.

5. If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours - so if you come into contact with any metal surface - wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap.

6. On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. normal laundry detergent will kill it.

7. Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink liquids with ice.

8. Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but - a lot can happen during that time - you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on.

9. You should also gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice.

10. Can't emphasis enough - drink plenty of water!

THE SYMPTOMS

1. It will first infect the throat, so you'll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days

2. The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further.

3. With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing.

4. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you're drowning. It's imperative you then seek immediate attention.

Fishing Facilities.

As the definition of “Social Gatherings” and “Unnecessary Travel” remain undefined in the UK, you might think of double checking before setting out. This particularly applies to still waters, if they have a café it must be closed – perhaps the whole facility is closed.

Llyn Brenig is closed!

Alterations at Llyn Brenig are complete. The shop, for permits and tackle, is now to be found near the entrance to the café. Here, when it re-opens, you can see what the osprey cameras are recording.

The old shop is now a meeting/education centre.

Access to the facility is closed off, with gates between the access road and Sailing Club gate being locked. The remaining staff are there for security only! Season permit holders can fish. Non-ticket holders can walk to the ticket machine and buy a day ticket for bank fishing BUT remember to take plenty of change with you! With the new telephone system up and running the shop number is 01490 389227. When re-opened you will get a reply.

The machine at Llyn Alwen is, as I write, out of action but it is hoped to repair it asap.

Fresh water fishing is less likely to be affected.

We do not know how long the present situation will last so, take extra care and stay safe!